Danny Ings has joined Southampton in what will eventually be a £20m deal.

The Liverpool striker faced a mad dash to the south coast to join his home town club, after Saints came to a late agreement over an initial 12 month loan deal, that contains an obligation to make the move permanent.

Ings has agreed a four year contract, and Southampton have agreed to make the deal permanent on July 1 2019... when they will pay an £18m fee, with a further £2m based on appearances.

Saints have also agreed a 20 per cent sell on clause for the England international, who turned down the approach of Crystal Palace, after making the club he played for as a boy his number one choice when he decided he had to leave Anfield.

Danny Ings has joined Southampton from Liverpool (Image: Southampton FC/Getty)

Ings was on schoolboy terms with Southampton, but was released and joined Bournemouth as a 16 year old apprentice.

He has always been a Saints fan though, and made the tough decision to leave Liverpool in search of the first team opportunities he believes will relaunch his career, after suffering two years in the wilderness because of injury.

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Ings has agreed a four year contract with the Saints (Image: Southampton FC via Getty Images)

Ings is desperate to force his way back into the England squad, and he believes scoring goals regularly in the Premier League will offer him the chance to do that.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was reluctant to let the striker leave, but granted him the move to help him after he failed to hold down a starting place at Anfield.